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Andrus extends hitting streak to 12 games

Elvis Andrus set career marks in average in 2012 and while his stolen bases dipped he should continue to flourish atop Texas' lineup in 2013

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Wilin Rosario, getting a start at designated hitter in an American League park, hit a three-run home run off reliever Ben Rowen in the top of the sixth inning to lift the Rockies to a 14-9 victory over the Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Friday.

Yorvit Torrealba's third hit of the afternoon against his former team led off the sixth as the Rockies scored nine runs that inning. A two-run home run by Reid Brignac capped off the rally against left-hander Joe Ortiz.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who was 1-for-2, extended his hitting streak to 12 games. He is 15-for-34 in the streak. Nelson Cruz, A.J. Pierzynski and David Murphy all hit home runs for the Rangers.

Andrus extended his hitting streak with a run-scoring single in the fourth off Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood, who is trying to earn a spot in the bullpen. Chatwood began the day with three scoreless innings before giving up four runs in the fourth.

Chatwood did not come out for the fifth. He allowed four runs on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts. His ERA for the spring is now 6.16, opponents are hitting .311 off him and he has allowed 13 walks in 19 innings.

Rangers starter Nick Tepesch allowed eight runs on 12 hits and three walks in five-plus innings. He struck out three while throwing 94 pitches, the most by a Rangers pitcher in a game this spring.

Up next: Yu Darvish pitches for the Rangers at 3:05 p.m. CT on Saturday against the Reds in Goodyear. Darvish was skipped in his last start because of some stiffness in his neck, but he threw a side session on Thursday and came out fine. Geovany Soto will be behind the plate, while Andrus and first baseman Mitch Moreland will also make the trip to Goodyear.